Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1887-12-20
Countess uarODa.
By wILKIB COLLINS.

OO~@@~-~N-r
This apology left Francis no polite alterna-
tive but to grant the managers request
-Thero is an end TO the countess wild
scheme" be thought to himself, as he retired
for the night. $50 much tho bettor for the
eOuntessw
He rose late the next morning. lnquirin9
for his Partisan friends, no was informed that
both tho French gentlemen had left for Milan.
As he crossed the hall on his way 10 the
restaurant he noticed tho head porter chalk
ing the numbers OF the rooms ON some articles
OF luggage which were waiting to go up
stairs. One trunk attracted his attention by
the extraordinary number Of old travelling
labels left on it. Tho porter was marking it
at the moment-and the number was "13A.n
Francis instantly looked at the card fastened
OIL the lid. It bore tho common English
name, airs. Jamesln He at once inquired
about tho lady. She had arrived early that
morning, and she was then in the reading
room. Looking into the room ho discovered
a lady in it alone. Advancing little nearer
he found himself face to faco with tho
countess
She was seated I'm dark corner with her
head down and her arms crossed over her
DOtOu. Suo III u UOLc VI weary
imsatience, before Francis could speak to
her, Al thought It best not to wait for you'll
detarrasuad to get here before anybody else
could take the room"
"HaYO you taken NJ for long~ Francis
asked
"You told me Miss Lockwood would be
hero in a weeks time have taken it for
week"
what has Miss Lockwood to do with 1T"
aShe has everything TO do with it-she
must s,eep In the room. 1 shall give the
room UP to her when she comes here.'
Francis began to understand the supersi-
tious purpose that she Lad In view. "Are
You, an educated woman, really OF the same
opinion as my sisters maidi" ho exclaimed.
"Assuming your absurd superstition to be a
serious thing, you are taking tho wrong
means to prove 1t true II / and my brother
md sister have seen nothing, how should
Agnes Lockwood discover what was not TO
voaied to usl Sho Is only distsntly related
10 tho MontbarTys-sho Is only our cousin"
"She was nearer 70 the heart Of the Mont
barry who Is dead than any OF you," the
countess answered, sternly. ITO the last day
OF his life my miserable husband repented his
dcsertlou Of her. She will sec what none OF
Won have seen-she shall have tho room"
Francis listened, utterly at loss to ac-
count for tho motives that animated her. II
don't SEQ what interest you have in trying
this extraordinary experiment" he said.
at Is my interest not to try It'll 1t Is my
insorest to fly from Venice and rover set eyes
on Agnes Lockwood or any Of your family
"What prevents you from doing thatr'
She started to her feet and looked at him
wildly ~ know no more what prevents me
thsn you do!n she burst out ":Somo will that
Is stronger than mino drives mo on TO my de-
struction in spite Of my own selfP' She sud-
denly sat down again and waved her hand
for him to 60. "Leave me-" she said. "Leave
me to my thoughts"
Francis left her, firmly persuaded by this
kino that she was out of her senses. For the
rest Of tho day he saw nothing Of her The
night, SO far as he knew, passed quietly. The
next morning no breakfasted enrly, deter
minod TO wait In the restaurant for the np-
peazance Of tho countess. Sho came In and
ordered her breakfast quietly, looking dull,
worn and self absorbed, as shc had looked
when he last SAW her. He fastened to her
table and asked II anything had happened in
tho night.
HNothlng,n she answered.
TYou have rested as well as usualT
"Quite as well as usual. Havo you had any
letters this morningl Have you heard when
sbo is comingP
~ have had no letters. Arc you really 60
Ing to stay heIei Hns your experience of
last night not altered the opinion which you
expressed to mo yesterdayT
SHOT In this least"
Tho monetary CLEAN Of animation which
had crossed her face when she questioned
him about Agnes died ont of It again when
10 answered her. She looked, she spoke, she
eat her breakfast with vacant resignation,
like q woman who had done with hopes, done
with interest, done with everything but the
mechanical movements and instincts OF life.
Francis went out on the customary trav-
eler's pilgrimage TO the shrines OF Titan and
and Tintoreto. After some hours Of absence
he found letter waiting for him when he
got back to the hotel 1t was written by his
brother Henry, and It recommended him to
return to Milan Immediately. The proprie-
tor OF a French theatre, recently arrived
from Venice, wns trying 10 induce the IA
nous dancer whom Francis had engaged TO
break faith with him and accept higher
salary.
Having made this startling announcement,
Henry proceeded to inform his brother that
Lord and Lady Montbarry, with Agnes and
tho children, would arrive In Venice in three
DAYS more, SThey know nothing OF our ad-
ve4tzires al tho botelo Henry wrote, land
they havo telegrnpbed to the nuabaser for the
accommodation that they want There
would be something absurdly superstitiou' In
our giving them warning which would
frighten tho ladies and children out Of the
best hotel In Venice We shall be strong
party this time-too strong a party for
ghostsl shall meet the travellers on their
arrival, OF course, and try my luck again at
what you call tho haunted hotel. Arthur
Bnivillo and his vito linvo already got as far
on their way as TrentI ana two Of tho lady's
relations have arranged TO accompany them
IN the journey to Venice"
Naturally Indignant at the conduct OF his
Partisan colleague, Francis made his prepara-
tons for returning to Milan by tho train OF
shat day.
On bis way out he asked the manager II lis
brothee's telegram had been received. Tho
telegram had arrived, and, TO the surprise of
Francis, tho rooms were already reserved.
II thought you would refuse TO let any more
Of tho family into the house." he said, satiri-
cally. The manager answered with the due
dash of respecp in the same tone mo.
13A' Is safe, sir, In the occupation of-n stran-
ger am tho servant Of tho company, and
/ dare not turn money out OF the hotel"
Hearing this, Francis said goodby-and
aid nothing more. He was ashamed to &c
Il p himself, but he felt an irro-